Background::Computer-aided detection (CAD) software has been introduced to automatically interpret digital chest X-rays. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of CAD software (JF CXR-1 v3.0, which was developed by a domestic Hi-tech enterprise) in tuberculosis (TB) case finding in China.Methods::In 2019, we conducted an internal evaluation of the performance of JF CXR-1 v3.0 by reading standard images annotated by a panel of experts. In 2020, using the reading results of chest X-rays by a panel of experts as the reference standard, we conducted an on-site prospective study to evaluate the performance of JF CXR-1 v3.0 and local radiologists in TB case finding in 13 township health centers in Zhongmu County, Henan Province.Results::Internal assessment results based on 277 standard images showed that JF CXR-1 v3.0 had a sensitivity of 85.94% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 77.42%, 94.45%) and a specificity of 74.65% (95% CI: 68.81%, 80.49%) to distinguish active TB from other imaging conditions. In the on-site evaluation phase, images from 3705 outpatients who underwent chest X-ray detection were read by JF CXR-1 v3.0 and local radiologists in parallel. The imaging diagnosis of local radiologists for active TB had a sensitivity of 32.89% (95% CI: 22.33%, 43.46%) and a specificity of 99.28% (95% CI: 99.01%, 99.56%), while JF CXR-1 v3.0 showed a significantly higher sensitivity of 92.11% (95% CI: 86.04%, 98.17%) ( p < 0.05) and maintained high specificity at 94.54% (95% CI: 93.81%, 95.28%). Conclusions::CAD software could play a positive role in improving the TB case finding capability of township health centers.

Background::Computer-aided detection (CAD) software has been introduced to automatically interpret digital chest X-rays. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of CAD software (JF CXR-1 v3.0, which was developed by a domestic Hi-tech enterprise) in tuberculosis (TB) case finding in China.Methods::In 2019, we conducted an internal evaluation of the performance of JF CXR-1 v3.0 by reading standard images annotated by a panel of experts. In 2020, using the reading results of chest X-rays by a panel of experts as the reference standard, we conducted an on-site prospective study to evaluate the performance of JF CXR-1 v3.0 and local radiologists in TB case finding in 13 township health centers in Zhongmu County, Henan Province.Results::Internal assessment results based on 277 standard images showed that JF CXR-1 v3.0 had a sensitivity of 85.94% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 77.42%, 94.45%) and a specificity of 74.65% (95% CI: 68.81%, 80.49%) to distinguish active TB from other imaging conditions. In the on-site evaluation phase, images from 3705 outpatients who underwent chest X-ray detection were read by JF CXR-1 v3.0 and local radiologists in parallel. The imaging diagnosis of local radiologists for active TB had a sensitivity of 32.89% (95% CI: 22.33%, 43.46%) and a specificity of 99.28% (95% CI: 99.01%, 99.56%), while JF CXR-1 v3.0 showed a significantly higher sensitivity of 92.11% (95% CI: 86.04%, 98.17%) ( p < 0.05) and maintained high specificity at 94.54% (95% CI: 93.81%, 95.28%). Conclusions::CAD software could play a positive role in improving the TB case finding capability of township health centers.

Objective To analyze the impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)on coronary plaque burden in elderly patients.Methods A total of 120 COPD patients admitted to the Hongqi Hospital Affiliated to Mudanjiang Medical University from January 2022 to December 2024 were prospectively enrolled and served as the COPD group.Another 120 healthy volunteers were recruited as the control group during the same period.The general clinical data and coronary plaque burden were compared between the two groups.Pearson linear correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between forced expiratory volume in the first second(FEV1)and coronary plaque burden as well as left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF).Multiple linear regression analysis was employed to identify the influencing factors of total coronary plaque bur-den and calcified plaque burden.Results The COPD group had significantly larger smoking ratio and higher levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP)and IL-6,but obviously lower LVEF and FEV1 levels than the control group(P＜0.01).Notably increased total coronary plaque burden(38.30±8.22 vs 24.61±5.56,P＜0.01),calcified plaque burden(21.11±6.57 vs 12.54±3.65,P＜0.01)and non-calcified plaque burden(17.19±5.39 vs 12.07±3.92,P＜0.01)were observed in the COPD group than the control group.FEV1 was negatively correlated with coro-nary plaque burden,calcified plaque burden,and non-calcified plaque burden,and positively corre-lated with LVEF(P＜0.01).Multiple linear regression analysis showed that FEV1 and IL-6 were influencing factors for both total coronary plaque burden(P＜0.01)and coronary calcified plaque burden(P＜0.01),and FEV1 was an influencing factor of non-calcified plaque burden in coronary arteries(P＜0.01).Conclusion COPD promotes the development of coronary plaque burden.So,for COPD patients,it is necessary to strengthen the monitoring and early prevention of coronary plaque burden.

Objective To analyze the impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)on coronary plaque burden in elderly patients.Methods A total of 120 COPD patients admitted to the Hongqi Hospital Affiliated to Mudanjiang Medical University from January 2022 to December 2024 were prospectively enrolled and served as the COPD group.Another 120 healthy volunteers were recruited as the control group during the same period.The general clinical data and coronary plaque burden were compared between the two groups.Pearson linear correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between forced expiratory volume in the first second(FEV1)and coronary plaque burden as well as left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF).Multiple linear regression analysis was employed to identify the influencing factors of total coronary plaque bur-den and calcified plaque burden.Results The COPD group had significantly larger smoking ratio and higher levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP)and IL-6,but obviously lower LVEF and FEV1 levels than the control group(P＜0.01).Notably increased total coronary plaque burden(38.30±8.22 vs 24.61±5.56,P＜0.01),calcified plaque burden(21.11±6.57 vs 12.54±3.65,P＜0.01)and non-calcified plaque burden(17.19±5.39 vs 12.07±3.92,P＜0.01)were observed in the COPD group than the control group.FEV1 was negatively correlated with coro-nary plaque burden,calcified plaque burden,and non-calcified plaque burden,and positively corre-lated with LVEF(P＜0.01).Multiple linear regression analysis showed that FEV1 and IL-6 were influencing factors for both total coronary plaque burden(P＜0.01)and coronary calcified plaque burden(P＜0.01),and FEV1 was an influencing factor of non-calcified plaque burden in coronary arteries(P＜0.01).Conclusion COPD promotes the development of coronary plaque burden.So,for COPD patients,it is necessary to strengthen the monitoring and early prevention of coronary plaque burden.